Fire-escape.



No. 794.100. PATENTED JULY 4, 1905. F. G. HENDRICKS FIRE ESCAPE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 5, 1903.

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FRANK Gr. HENDRICKS, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIG-NOR- TO IDOIVIESIIO FIRE ESCAPE COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A OORPOIRAIION OF MISSOURI.

I 'II IE EEUAWIEW SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. ?9t,1l00, dated July 4, 1905.

Application filed October 5, 1903. Serial No. 175,754:-

10 all who'i'n, it um/:1 concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK G. HENDRICKS, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire- IEscapes, of which the following is a specification containing a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

IO My invention relates to improvements in fire-escapes; and it consists of the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter shown, described, and claimed.

5 The object of my invention is to provide a lire-escape with an improved hand brake whereby the operator may have more complete control in making a descent from a bu rning building,

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of my improved hand-brake apparatus. Fig. 2 is an edge elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the lower end of the friction-frame having the body-sling at- 5 tachcd thereto. I ig. aisa section on the line 4: at of Fig. I.

ll indicates the twin side plates of the frietion-frame, being preferably composed of metal spaced apart by fixed washers 2, which 3 are clamped between said plates by means of bolts 3. The roped passes longitudinally between said plates 1 and between two of the washers 2 at the upper end of the frictionframe, and thence said rope passes downwardly and beneath and around another one of. said washers E2, thence upwardly and over and around another washer 2, and thence downwardly between the lower washer 2 and the upper end of the movable grip-jaw 5, which 4 is bent around the bolt 3, which supports it. Said movable grip-jaw is thus pivotally secured to the friction-frame, and said jaw projects beneath said frame a suflicient distance to form a convenient handheld for the oper- 45 ator. The outward movement of said jaw is limited by contact with the bolt 6, fixedv between the plates 1 near the lower end of same. Mounted opposite the movable grip-jaw 5 is a fixed grip-jaw 7, the upper end of which is secured to one of the plates 1 by means of 5 suitable screws or rivets 8, and said fixed gripjaw extends parallel to said movable gri 'i-jaw and has its lower end curved outwardly, as shown. The lower end of said movable gripjaw 5 is also curved outwardly. This curva ture is provided in order that the operatofis hand will be prevented. from slipping off of the grip-jaws during use. The inner faces of both grip-jaws are concaved, as shown in Fig. 4, to [it the rope. 6

My improved body-sling is preferably con1- posed of a belt 9, provided with suitable fastoning devices at its ends and adapted to encircle the operatofis body, and one or more straps 10, having a snap-hook Ill at its lower 5 end adapted to engage a ring 12, carried by said belt 9. The upper end of said strap l0 is provided with a snap-hook 13, which engages a loop or clevis 1 1-, secured to the lower end of the friction-frame. 7 C

The operation is as follows: In making a descent the operator fastens the belt 9 around some portion of his body, preferably beneath the arms, and then grasps the friction-frmne or the strap 1.0 with one hand and takes the grip-jaws 5 and 7 in the opposite hand and then begins the descent. The friction of the rope t upon the washers 2 and against the upper end of the movable grip-jaw 5 causes the descent to be comparatively slow. and the 30 rapidity of the descent may be readily controlled by gripping the rope between the movable and lixed grip-jaws 5 and 7, rospectivelythat is, if the operator desires to descend faster he loosens his grip upon said jaws, and 5 if he desires to move with lesser speed he tightens his grip upon said jaws.

1 clain'r In a lire-escapez the two side plates 1; the spacing-washers 2 between said. side plates; 9 the bolts 3 inserted througl'i said plates and through said washers to hold the parts together; the rope at passing downwardly inside of one washer, then outside of the and around under second washer; and then upwardly over a third washer and downwardly; the movable grip-jaw 5 pivotally mounted on a bolt 3 be tween said plates and extending below said plates to form a handhold; said rope passing l able jaw, and the friction of said jaws upon downwardly inside of said grip-jaw; the bolt 6 inserted through said plates to limit the ontward movement of said jaw; the grip-jaw T rigidly mounted between the plates 1 and extending below said plates in opposition to the movable jaw 5, and forming a second handle;

said rope 4k passing between said jaws 5 and 7. and said jaws being concavo-convex in crosssection, and said rope being deflected as it passes over the said third washer to the movthe' rope being controlled by the hand of the operator; and means of attaching a belt to i said plates 1; substantially as specified.

1n testimong whereof I have signed my name to this specification in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK G. HENDRICKS. lVitnesses:

ALFRED A. EIOKS, M. G. IRION. 

